Got up, ate breakfast, lazed around a bit and then headed out at about 11:00 AM. We were hoping to avoid all the morning commute traffic – and it worked! Traffic flowed pretty well and we got into Chicago at around 12:15 PM. I had made reservations for parking near one of the stops for the Chicago Trolly Tour hop on and hop off bus (Groupon – ). The parking garage was only about six or seven blocks, and was a nice walk ($11.00 for 12 hours).
The double decker bus showed up after about twenty minutes of waiting. (We were stop 4 – at the Hilton Chicago/Grant Park). There were 13 stops in all and the “guide” Tom did a great job of explaining many of the buildings and things we were seeing as we went around to the different stops. Several times during the tour, we had to duck down if we were going under an overpass or under the trains. Quite exciting when you are only a couple of inches away from death if you pop your head up very far.
We just missed one of our busses, the red double decker in the turn lane.A beautiful mural near the start of our bus ride tour.Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears.Old part couldn’t be changed, on the National Register. They left the old alone, added the new and promptly got thrown off the National Register.Field Museum. One of the best in the world.Planetarium.The skyline is beautiful in all weather.Mr Ferris built his first wheel here for a world s fair. Lost in fire – this is a much newer one.A very successful revitalization project.Buckingham Fountain, donated by a wealthy family, spectacular in form and function. Nothing to do with the palace in London.Top water column runs for ten minutes every hour on the hour.It is beautiful and has been hit so many times it is scary.Tight clearance in several places.Great river walks.Trying to perfect the selfie.
One of our stops, Cheesecake Factory below, Sears Tower behind. A summer concert was playing in the courtyard. (We ate here last time we were visiting. Decided to go with the local flavor this time.)
After going around once, we were getting hungry so we got off at stop 11 – Water Tower to try to make our way to Downtown Dogs. The guide had said it was the best in the city and they were real authentic hot dogs (they don’t like to put ketchup on hot dogs in Chicago). It took us awhile and we walked quite a ways and got to see a gathering of new students at Loyola University. How nice that they sponsor food, music, and other fun things to welcome the newbies.
We think a welcome to Loyola event.The block was closed for a Loyola party of some sort.Loyola is big in downtown Chicago.Thought we bumped into some wealthy folks. Rolls, Lamborghini and Maserati.Sure wish I could buy her one, I think she would look very pretty in it.
We finally found Downtown Dogs and it was worth it. Very good food and pretty reasonable prices. The hot dogs had pickles, small hot peppers, mustard, and a weird green sauce. Good.
Tour guide Paul thought this the best place in town. Told us it was an insult to ask for ketchup. Said it hearkens back to the time of the depression. A hot dog was 5 cents and got you through the day.Up a bit from the 5 cent beginning.Downtown Dogs likes dogs.Relish, mustard, onion, mayo, celery salt, pickle slice, tomato and hot peppers. No ketchup and it was good.
(I should mention that it rained off and on all day. The bus supplied us with ponchos for the weather.)
Plastic ponchos are given for rain.
After eating our linner, we walked and walked to try to get back to stop 4 so we could catch the night tour of the hop on and hop off double decker bus (the night tour doesn’t stop at all their regular places). Along the way we got to see some of the “night people” that come out and play pretty good music. The tour didn’t start until 6:30 PM. The walk was about a mile with lots of things to see along the way. We stopped at the Chicago Cultural Center to see the Tiffany glass dome. My goodness but it was stunning. So much to take in. So glad we found it and got to enjoy it while we were in the city.
A spectacular building inside and out.This building just mesmerizes as we walk through it. The detail and finish is so wonderful.Everywhere you look, just gorgeous.The mosaics are just spectacular throughout. What a great place to spend some time.Wonderful inscriptions throughout.
Such fine work in such a huge space.
Tiffany chandeliers as well.Claimed to be the largest Tiffany glass dome in the world.
We got to the Hilton stop and waited a little bit for the bus to come. We don’t remember the name of the night guide (Michael said it was Dan) but he was very entertaining. We enjoyed his sense of humor and it was nice to get a different take on things with another guide.
Selfie practice at the Bean.
A Flamingo.Picasso.Twin cube fountains with a thousand different Chicago faces, rotating turns spitting water out.
Lots of excellent street musicians.His underwear was on the outside and Pretty woman had to snap a photo.Sunset in the city.Trump building is nice looking. It is dead center in light blue.Flamingo at night.At the front the middle C has a Y in it that represents the confluence of three rivers in Chicago.Naked, imaginary spear suggesting a time when weapons will be invisible.The Fed in Chicago.Federal lockup. Windows made slim so as not to have to put bars on the outside. Couple fellows got some tools, spread a window and escaped. Bars were installed later.Monadnock Building. Last great stone skyscraper, built in 1891. The base is 6 feet thick to accommodate the weight of the 197 feet in height.The “L” slipping nosily by as we skim close underneath.
We got off the bus at around 8:30 PM and managed to get to the parking garage before our 9:00 PM deadline to be out of the lot. We got home late and were very tired but it was a fun day filled with sights, sounds, and beauty. Michael said his fit bit showed that he (we) had walked over 10,000 steps today. I believe it.
